Florentino Perez to run for Real Madrid president

MADRID 
Florentino Perez has announced that he will run for Real Madrid president in this summer's election.

Perez said Thursday that he will present himself for the club's June vote.

Perez led Madrid between 2000-06, when the club won two league titles and one Champions League trophy in the "galactico" era that featured high-priced stars like Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Ronaldo.

Perez, who said he made a mistake in not running for re-election, said fans could expect a "spectacular" project that would quickly bring Madrid back to the top of European soccer. Perez mentioned stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, but did not reveal any plans for signings.

Perez is the favorite to win after Ramon Calderon resigned amid a vote-rigging scandal.